If you've spent any time choosing Prosecco, you've noticed two things on the label: some bottles say DOC, others say DOCG. The difference is more meaningful than most people realise — and it changes what you're getting in the glass.
The basics: what DOC and DOCG mean
Both are Italian quality classifications. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata — a controlled designation of origin. DOCG adds a G: Garantita, meaning the quality is also guaranteed by an additional tasting panel before the wine is released.
For a wine to qualify as DOCG, it must pass through DOC first — and then earn the higher classification through a stricter review process. DOCG wines tend to have lower permitted yields, more specific geographical requirements, and mandatory ageing minimums.
For Prosecco specifically
Prosecco DOC covers a wide area across Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. The rules are relatively flexible: Glera grapes must make up at least 85% of the blend, but the production zone is large.
Prosecco DOCG is more restricted. There are two main DOCG zones:
- Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG — the original heartland of Prosecco, in the hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. The vineyards here are steep, hand-harvested, and protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Asolo Prosecco DOCG — a smaller, lesser-known zone producing wines with a slightly more structured character.
Within Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, you'll also find Rive — single-vineyard designations — and Cartizze, an 107-hectare hill widely considered the grand cru of Prosecco.
Does DOCG always taste better?
Not automatically. A well-made DOC Prosecco from a careful producer can outperform a poorly made DOCG. What DOCG guarantees is that the grapes come from a more defined, historically significant area and that the wine passed an additional quality check before bottling.
What DOCG wines almost always have: more complexity, more mineral character, better integration of bubbles. The hilly terrain of Conegliano Valdobbiadene produces grapes with higher acidity and more distinct aromatics than the flatter DOC zones.
Which should you buy?
For everyday drinking and aperitivo, a good DOC Prosecco does everything you need. For a special occasion, a gift, or if you want to understand what the best Prosecco really tastes like — reach for a DOCG from Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
Both are in our collection. We import from producers who take the classification seriously — which means our DOC Proseccos are made with the same care most producers reserve for DOCG.
→ Explore our Prosecco selection
Proseccos worth trying:
- Prosecco Extra Dry DOC Treviso — approachable, floral, and fresh
- Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut — drier style, ideal as an aperitivo
- Prosecco DOC Rosé Treviso Millesimato — a vintage rosé, for when you want something distinctive